The Vital Role of Movement Education in Injury Recovery for Active Runners

by Frank Abbate | Jul 29, 2023

As runners, we know that training for a marathon or the upcoming running season requires dedication, commitment, and consistent progress. However, it’s essential to prioritize injury prevention and recovery to ensure a successful and fulfilling running journey. One valuable aspect of injury recovery that active runners should focus on is movement education. Let’s explore why movement education is crucial for runners recovering from injuries and how it can contribute to a strong and injury-free running season.

1. Understanding Movement Patterns:
Movement education helps active runners understand their unique movement patterns and biomechanics. By working with a qualified movement educator, runners can gain insights into their running form, identify any imbalances or weaknesses, and learn how to correct and optimize their movement patterns. This knowledge allows them to reduce the risk of reinjury and improve overall performance.

2. Developing Proper Running Mechanics:
Injury recovery presents an opportunity for runners to reassess and refine their running mechanics. Movement education helps them focus on proper posture, alignment, and efficient movement techniques. By working on running mechanics, runners can enhance their stride efficiency, reduce excessive stress on joints, and optimize energy expenditure. This, in turn, can lead to improved endurance and performance during training and races.

3. Strengthening Weak Areas:
During injury recovery, runners often have specific areas of weakness or imbalances that contribute to their injuries. Movement education enables runners to target and strengthen these areas, such as core muscles, hip stabilizers, and glutes. By addressing these weaknesses, runners can enhance their overall stability and reduce the likelihood of future injuries.

4. Building Body Awareness:
Movement education fosters body awareness, a vital component for injury prevention and recovery. Runners can learn to listen to their bodies, recognize early signs of discomfort or imbalances, and make appropriate adjustments. Developing body awareness allows runners to make informed decisions during training, such as modifying intensity or duration when necessary, to prevent overuse injuries.

5. Gradual Training Progression:
Movement education emphasizes the importance of gradual training progression for injury recovery. Runners can learn how to incorporate appropriate rest days, cross-training, and strength training into their routine to promote recovery, prevent overtraining, and reduce the risk of reinjury. Understanding the balance between challenging workouts and adequate recovery is crucial for long-term success in running.

Incorporating movement education into your injury recovery plan as an active runner can have a profound impact on your running journey. It provides you with the tools, knowledge, and awareness needed to prevent future injuries, optimize performance, and enjoy a successful running season.

Remember, always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or movement educator who specializes in working with runners to ensure personalized guidance and support throughout your injury recovery and training process.

Here’s to a strong and injury-free running season ahead!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance and recommendations tailored to your specific needs.

Client Reviews

Dr Frank takes the time to get to know you and all your issues. Very through and professional in his assessment. I’ve been going to chiropractors for 27 years and he really goes above and beyond compared to the dozen or so I’ve seen in my lifetime. If you’re looking for more than an in an out adjustment… to get to the route of your issues, give Dr Frank Abate a call!

Jennifer T

I've been seeing Dr Frank for the past few months for help with soreness and discomfort in my neck and back. I have Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) which affects the collagen in the body and leads to extra stretchy tendons and ligaments... Which leads to lots of muscle tension and tightness, along with subluxations of various body parts, tendons popping into the wrong places, injuries that never really heal, and a lot of back pain.

I've been dealing with this since 2010 and Dr. Frank's knowledge of the body, integration of rehab exercises, and advice have been invaluable to me. He does a lot more than adjustments during the visits, including soft tissue work, stretching, functional movement assessment, etc. Because he spends a lot more time with me than a lot of other patients, I pay a little more, but his prices are very reasonable and so worth it. We're making steady progress and he's always there to support me when I need it.
Dr. Frank is really easy to work with and he treats patients like equals, never talking down to me or making me feel uncomfortable. The office is pretty easy to find, and it's inside the Get Fit NH office space next to their gym. I would recommend Dr Frank to anyone, but especially to hEDS/EDS patients who need the extra time and care so that they can start to overcome years of muscle tension and injuries.

Justin C

I highly recommend Back In Action Chiropractic for anyone dealing with injuries or chronic pain. Dr. Frank has helped me so much with issues with my neck and lower back that I thought I just had to live with - but for the most part, I am pain free now! He does a very thorough assessment, does soft tissue work and adjustments, and really gets to know his patients to provide the highest level of care. It’s always a good experience going to see Dr. Frank - he’s a great chiropractor and an awesome person too!

Amy W

Frank is awesome! I would highly recommend to anyone. As an athlete, he got me back into my sport within two weeks with just a couple visits and some at home stretching. As a first timer, he was very good at explaining what was going on and what we were doing. Very smart, cleanly, and kind, thank you Frank!

Emma P

Frank is outstanding! Extremely patient, great listener, remarkably intuitive, understanding, kind and most of all effective. Every exercise he gave me had value, every motion was a step forward and every visit was time well spent. Very highly recommended!!!

Vadim M

Frank is knowledgeable, professional, clean & makes his patients feel comfortable. He has extensive knowledge of different stretches and movements that can be done at home to relieve pain and has not only helped me with neck/back issues, but I also my father, whom I referred over to Frank for Siatic nerve pain issues, and it's completely improved his ailments as well.

Highly recommend Abbate Chiropractic!